The American Dream is the idea that all people in this country have a chance to achieve success and create a better life for their children but there are variations on this basic idea. For many people, the American dream means simply financial success, for others it is obtaining positions of power, and for still others it is freedom. Freedom can be viewed and obtained in many different ways. As seen in the following documents, Fredrick Douglass, the women behind The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, and "Amelia, a Lowell Factory Worker on "Wage Slavery", freedom can be described in a variety of ways and different methods can be used to obtain it. Freedom can vary based on a certain individual"s views, ethnicity, class, and gender. Frederick Douglass, the women of Seneca Falls Declaration, and the author of "Amelia, a Lowell Factory Worker on 'Wage Slavery,"" all had dreams of freedom and equality; however, Douglass seeked freedom from the legal institution of slavery, the women of Seneca Falls wanted men and women to be considered equal, and the workers at Lowell Factory hoped for freedom from oppressive factory conditions. .

             As a slave, the legal, social, and religious aspects of slavery oppress Frederick Douglass, but he chose not to accept this system. Frederick Douglas, who was born a slave, did not have the privilege of this aforementioned freedom. Even though he was an exceptionally bright man, he was enslaved and persecuted because of his skin color. Despite his status, Douglass sees freedom from slavery in his future. As a young man, Douglass experienced several torturous events in his career as a slave. His slaveholders repeatedly whipped him and treated him as if he was an animal. .

             Three of these goads, from four to six feet long, he cut off, and trimmed up, with his large jack-knife. This done, he ordered me to take off my clothes.